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Randy Bernard fired, but at least his blood pressure will drop

October 28, 2012

The Izod IndyCar Series is looking for a new leader after the dismissal of CEO Randy Bernard. Photo by LAT PHOTGRAPHIC

With 24 hours to think about it, the chilly dismissal of Randy Bernard as the chief executive officer of IndyCar makes about as much sense as it did when the press release was issued Sunday night—which is pretty much none.

It is difficult to feel entirely sorry for Bernard, as those of us who like him—and that's the majority of the media, who had for years been forced to deal with Tony George, who gives “chilly” a downright sub-zero reputation—can't be entirely upset to know that he will no longer have to please multiple un-pleasable masters. Bernard led IndyCar through a tumultuous period, including the departure of George, the arrival of a new car and new engines, the departure of bankable asset Danica Patrick, the arrival of a grim but improving TV package. He also had to orchestrate IndyCar's response and reaction to the death of Dan Wheldon.

And he did it about as well as anyone could expect. Bernard had zero motorsports experience when he showed up for what was essentially his first public appearance as IndyCar CEO at the Chicago auto show in February of 2010, plucked from the leadership of the Professional Bull Riders association, but he made an immediate positive impression. This despite the fact that the event at the Chicago show was the also the debut of the DeltaWing, then lobbying to become the new IndyCar, and it was attended by the majority of IndyCar heavy hitters, including the newly jobless Tony George. Tough crowd.

Having once been a very unsuccessful rodeo bull rider, I told Bernard then that I had ridden twice as many bulls (two) as he had attended auto races (zero), but I wasn't sure that qualified me to run the PBR. What qualified him to run IndyCar?

His good-natured response to a serious question set the tone for his tenure: Maybe he wasn't qualified, he said. But he would learn all he could, as fast as he could, and try to do the right thing. He kept his end of the deal. There was no shortage of people offering advice, some of it just criminally bad, and Bernard had a knack for filtering out the self-serving and focusing on what needed to be done.

Of course, what needed to be done and what logically could be done were two different things. What needed to be done was knock NASCAR off its perch. What could be done was at least keep IndyCar moving forward, wait out the economy, try to attract drivers with name recognition, and keep competition close, fair and exciting on viable racetracks. And not screw up the Indianapolis 500.

On Wind Tunnel on Speed Sunday night, broadcaster and ex-racer David Hobbs paraphrased something I have been saying for years when asked why IndyCar just can't make up ground on NASCAR. My response: When NASCAR shoots itself in the foot, it uses a .22. When IndyCar shoots itself in the foot, it uses a shotgun with double-ought shells. One step forward, two bloody-stump steps back.

I've been trying to envision some sort of plan, some scenario that the IndyCar board has in mind that will make the firing of Bernard—and make no mistake, that's what this was—seem sensible, and propel IndyCar in a positive direction that Bernard could not. Unless 75-year-old Roger Penske wants the job, I can't.

As for Bernard, he will not be unemployed for long. The Circuit of the Americas in Texas desperately needs a front man with some motorsports experience, and I nominate Bernard. He's personable, well-spoken and smarter than he looks, which can be a disarming advantage in negotiations.

Bottom line, though, here's what I see happening: As I was writing the stories about the merger between Grand-Am and the American Le Mans Series, a particularly enthusiastic Kevin Buckler, who owns The Racers Group and fields cars in both series, told me that if the merger is handled properly, he is convinced that the combined effort can propel sports car racing past IndyCar, at least in the minds of the average American motorsports fans.

What seemed like an interesting possibility when Buckler said it seems like a probability now. Roger Penske, answer your phone.